If you like your downstairs area to look a little more tamed and you're tired of razor burns, then a bikini wax may be for you. A bikini wax is a great way to get that sexy summer look, a nice surprise for your boyfriend or girlfriend, and even a boost for your self-esteem.

Steps

1

Before you get a bikini wax, make sure your hair is at least a quarter inch long (1/4"). If your hair is too short they may send you home, because the wax won't grab the hair. Also, it is a little awkward for your wax to cut too much, so if necessary do a little trimming before you go.

2

Don't exfoliate before you go. The wax is going to do that anyway, and that will just irritate the skin more.

3

Wear very soft underwear. Your skin is going to be slightly raw and softness helps.

4

Mentally prepare for some pain. It can be painful, very painful, especially if it's your first time. If you've never waxed before, your hair follicles are going to be thick and strong.

5

If its your first time, it may take up to an hour. This depends on whether you're going to get a full wax (Brazilian) or a bikini line wax (everything that would show outside your underwear), and how often you ask them to stop.

6

Don't plan on doing anything physical right afterward. You will probably be a little exhausted and your skin will most likely be sore for a day or so. Remember, you've wanted this for a while so the pain is worth it! (That's what you tell yourself while its happening.)

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Tips

If your waxer doesn't do it automatically, many have a skin-numbing spray that you can request they use to help a little.

Also remember that your waxer is your friend, and they know it hurts. If you need them to stop so you can take a breath or get some water, they should be very obliging.

Also, contrary to what you might believe, when you get closer to the more tender parts it is less painful, because these hairs are less thick.

There are different kinds of waxes your waxer may use. Sometimes they use a hot wax for the bikini line, and a harder wax for everything else. This harder wax is better and less painful. You may request the harder wax for the whole thing, but they may charge you more. Usually professional venues do the whole thing in the hard wax.

Sometimes a wax's price includes a tip or doesn't require one, but sometimes a tip is expected. Find out what the normal practice is where you are going.

Prepare to spend anywhere from $35-80 for a wax. Any less and question it, any more and they had better give you a foot rub too!

When you go, don't be too nervous. Remember your waxer is a professional!

Sometimes hair salons that do waxes (such as Hoshall's) have nice, calming music, aromatherapy and dim lights; this is a nice perk!

Research some good salons in your area, and look up reviews for the salons you have in mind on a site like Yelp. This can tell you if the salon uses good quality wax, what the overall experience is, how much it costs, and even who their favorite waxer is!

Warnings

If you are female and this is your first time getting a full Brazilian wax, you may notice peeing is a little different. (This is gross but it might kind of spray everywhere.)

Make sure the waxer uses gloves. Not using them is a bad practice and can be unsanitary.

If you are going to a nail-salon type venue instead of a business that specifically does waxing, make sure they use completely new wax. Ask them. Sometimes they will have a kind of crock pot that warms the wax, and they might be using it all day for all their waxes. Waxing sometimes causes bleeding because of the hair follicles ripping out, and when they dip that wooden spatula back in there to get more wax, they might contaminate it. Also, you don't need to transfer blood to get some venereal diseases.

When the waxer is waxing you, try not to tense up or jerk. This jerking can sometimes cause a bruise. Usually the waxer will pull your skin slightly taut, and this allows the wax to pull out the hairs effectively. When you jerk, the skin becomes less taut and the wax will pull on the skin instead of the hair.

If your waxer is not your gender you should probably pass on the wax. This is usually very unprofessional for this type of wax (unless you are a man, then this is very much less taboo).